2026 GS-5 Pay in Denver
GS-5 employees with a duty station in Denver-Aurora, CO earn 30.52% on top of the base GS-5 pay scale. That means a GS-5 Step 1 salary jumps from $34,799 on the base table to $45,420 in Denver.
2026 GS-5 Pay in Denver
Locality-adjusted GS-5 rates for Denver-Aurora, CO.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $45,420 | $1,746.92 | $21.76 | +$10,621 |
| Step 2 | $46,934 | $1,805.15 | $22.49 | +$10,975 |
| Step 3 | $48,448 | $1,863.38 | $23.21 | +$11,329 |
| Step 4 | $49,962 | $1,921.62 | $23.94 | +$11,683 |
| Step 5 | $51,476 | $1,979.85 | $24.67 | +$12,037 |
| Step 6 | $52,990 | $2,038.08 | $25.39 | +$12,391 |
| Step 7 | $54,504 | $2,096.31 | $26.12 | +$12,745 |
| Step 8 | $56,018 | $2,154.54 | $26.84 | +$13,099 |
| Step 9 | $57,532 | $2,212.77 | $27.57 | +$13,453 |
| Step 10 | $59,046 | $2,271.00 | $28.29 | +$13,807 |
2026 GS-5 pay table for Denver
Each step below already includes the 30.52% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.
| Step | Annual salary | Biweekly pay | Hourly rate | Locality add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | $45,420 | $1,746.92 | $21.76 | +$10,621 |
| Step 2 | $46,934 | $1,805.15 | $22.49 | +$10,975 |
| Step 3 | $48,448 | $1,863.38 | $23.21 | +$11,329 |
| Step 4 | $49,962 | $1,921.62 | $23.94 | +$11,683 |
| Step 5 | $51,476 | $1,979.85 | $24.67 | +$12,037 |
| Step 6 | $52,990 | $2,038.08 | $25.39 | +$12,391 |
| Step 7 | $54,504 | $2,096.31 | $26.12 | +$12,745 |
| Step 8 | $56,018 | $2,154.54 | $26.84 | +$13,099 |
| Step 9 | $57,532 | $2,212.77 | $27.57 | +$13,453 |
| Step 10 | $59,046 | $2,271.00 | $28.29 | +$13,807 |
Base vs. locality comparison
How much more Denver pays
Step-increase waiting periods
GS-5 in Denver: what to expect
Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.
For 2026, the Denver pay area adds a 30.52% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.
Qualifications and career path
Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.
Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.
The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.
Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in Denver
Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $1,747 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $2,271. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.
Other grades in Denver
GS-5 in Denver questions
-
How much does a GS-5 make in Denver?
In 2026, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in Denver earns $45,420 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $59,046. This is 30.52% higher than the base GS-5 salary. -
What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in Denver?
The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Denver in 2026, it is 30.52%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $10,621 per year. -
What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in Denver?
Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in Denver earns roughly $1,747 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.